New coach Dalic looks for winning start as confident UAE set to take on Yemen in Gulf Cup opener

 Zlatko Dalic will embark on a new journey as the new coach of UAE football team when they take on Yemen in the opening match of the 27th Gulf Cup on Thursday.

Gulf Cup 27 is being held in Jeddah from Sept.23 to Oct.6, with eight teams divided into two groups. Group B consists of the UAE, Yemen, Qatar and Bahrain, while Group A features Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman and Kuwait.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals. The UAE are coming into the  tournament with a strong record in the competition.

The team first competed in the second edition in 1972 and has reached the final six times since then, winning the title in 2007 and 2013 and finishing runners-up on four occasions.

This will be Dalic’s first assignment as a coach of the UAE team since his appointment two months ago. He replaced former coach Cosmin Olaroiu, who parted ways with the national team after they failed to qualify for the recently-concluded World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico.

Dalic vowed to put up a strong performance and emerged as one of the top contenders for the title. The UAE is seeking their third Gulf Cup title.

“This is my first time taking part in the tournament and we are looking forward to deliver a strong performance starting with Yemen, a team we have a great respect for.

“We know our objectives and we are not putting ourselves under any kind of pressure. We have been working on each and every details in the last few days to bring the team to the optimum level,” said Dalic.

“I am very happy with our group and the most important thing is to play with confidence, stand together as one team and delivering a performance to live up to the expectations of our fans,” he added.

Dalic relinquished his job as Croatian coach after their 2026 World Cup campaign ended in the round of 32 with a 2-1 defeat by Portugal.

During his nine years in charge of Croatia, Dalic guided the team to the 2018 World Cup final, a third-place finish in 2022 and the 2023 Nations League final. The UAE will face South Korea, Vietnam and Yemen in Group E of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, UAE player Sultan Adil showed confidence in the team’s ability to lift the coveted trophy for the third time.

“Our preparation has been strong and we are ready for the tournament and coach’s game plan.

“We understand the importance of the tournament and we will take it step-by-step, that is one match at a time to achieve our goal,” said Adil.

“The coach gave us a lot of confidence and we are also learning a lot from Ismail Matar from his vast experience of Gulf Cup. We promise to give our best and looking forward to the support of our fans,” he concluded.

 Meanwhile, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, President of the UAE Football Association, affirmed that the national team—under its new technical staff—is capable of delivering a performance worthy of the reputation of UAE football. 

He noted that participation in the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup would enrich the team's experience and bolster its strength and capabilities.

He urged the national team to approach the tournament one step at a time, calling upon the players to maintain focus and exert their utmost effort to bring joy to UAE football fans.

He said "Support from the public and the media is essential, as they are key motivators in football and indispensable to the sport. 

"We are confident that everyone will rally behind the team and provide the necessary support. We wish the best of luck to this ambassador of UAE football in this cherished tournament."

Furthermore,  Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mubarak emphasized the historical significance and deep-rooted nature of the Arabian Gulf Cup, noting that generations of players and fans alike have accorded this football event the attention it deserves.

He highlighted the UAE Football Association’s enduring support for this Gulf sporting gathering—whether through participation or hosting—and called for collective cooperation to ensure the 27th edition is showcased in the best possible light and succeeds in achieving its sporting objectives and social mission.